ANNEXURE

Annexure Chronology of Major Policy Announcements:
April 1999 – July 2000
Date of Announcement 1999 April POLICY ANNOUNCEMENTS
I. MONETARY MANAGEMENT
20   Effective fortnight beginning May 8, 1999, CRR was reduced by 0.5 percentage point to 10.0 per cent. The Reserve Bank announced introduction of an Interim Liquidity Adjustment Facility (ILAF) through repos and lending against collateral of Government of India securities. It provided a mechanism by which liquidity would be injected at various interest rates, and absorbed when necessary at the fixed repo rate. The features of this facility were: The general refinance facility was withdrawn and replaced by a collateralised lending facility (CLF) up to 0.25 per cent of the fortnightly average outstanding aggregate deposits in 1997-98 which was available for two weeks at the Bank Rate. An additional collateralised lending facility (ACLF) for an equivalent amount of CLF was made available at the Bank Rate plus two percentage points. CLF and ACLF availed for periods beyond two weeks were subject to a penal rate of 2 per cent for an additional period of two weeks. There was a cooling period of two weeks thereafter. In order to facilitate systemic adjustment in liquidity, the restriction on participation in money market (during the period that such facilities were availed of) was withdrawn. Scheduled commercial banks were made eligible for export credit refinance facility (ERF) at the Bank Rate, i.e., 8.0 per cent per annum effective April 1, 1999. Liquidity support under Level I against collateral of government securities and treasury bills, based on bidding commitment and other parameters was made available to PDs at the Bank Rate for a period of 90 days and the amounts remained constant throughout the year. Liquidity support under Level II against collateral of government securities and treasury bills was also provided to PDs for periods not exceeding two weeks at a time at the Bank Rate plus 2 percentage points. Non-bank entities which were specifically permitted to undertake reverse repos were allowed to borrow money through repo transactions on par with banks and PDs. MMMFs were permitted to offer „cheque writing facility‟ to provide more liquidity to unit holders subject to certain safeguards prescribed in this regard. The „cheque writing facility‟ was in the nature of a tie-up arrangement with a bank. Banks were allowed to operate different PLRs for different maturities instead of the existing two PLRs (one for the short-term and the other for the long-term loans). Banks were permitted to offer fixed rate term loans subject to conformity to ALM guidelines. It was decided that the Boards of Directors of banks could delegate necessary powers to Asset Liability Management Committee for fixing interest rates on deposits and advances. It was decided that the Reserve Bank would provide accommodation to the state co-operative banks at the Bank Rate as against at „Bank Rate plus 2.5 percentage points‟ earlier. It was decided that in cases where deposit rates are equal to or more than PLR or less than one percentage point below PLR, the banks would have freedom to charge suitable rates of interest on advances against domestic/NRE term deposits without reference to the ceiling of PLR. Banks have been allowed to pay interest at their discretion, at the time of conversion of NRE account into RFC account, even if the same has not run for a minimum maturity of six months provided that the rate of interest does not exceed the rate payable on savings deposits held under RFC account scheme and request for such conversion is received immediately on return of the NRE account holder to India. Scheduled commercial banks (excluding RRBs), PDs and all-India financial institutions (AIFIs) were permitted to undertake Forward Rate Agreements/Interest Rate Swaps (FRAs/IRS) as a product for hedging and market making. Corporates were allowed to undertake these transactions only for hedging their own balance sheet exposures. Recalling the announcement made on March 14, 1998 that gold borrowed by authorised banks from abroad would form part of the time and demand liabilities and would be subject to CRR and SLR, it was decided on a review that the gold borrowed from abroad and lent to jewellery exporters in India for the purpose of exports would be exempted from the CRR and SLR requirements with effect from
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the fortnight beginning July 31, 1999, subject to the condition that the effective CRR and SLR maintained by the banks on total NDTL, including the liabilities under gold borrowed from abroad and lent to jewellery exporters in India for the purpose of exports should not be less than 3 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively. 35 non-bank entities along with those non-bank entities which were earlier allowed to undertake reverse repo were permitted both to lend and borrow through repo transactions. The Reserve Bank revised the interest rates on General Line of Credit to NABARD, effective July 1, 1999. Accordingly, the interest rate on GLC I was revised to „Bank Rate minus 2 percentage points‟ (i.e. 6.0 per cent) from „Bank Rate minus 3.5 percentage points‟ (i.e. 4.5 per cent). The interest rate on GLC II was also revised to „Bank Rate minus 1.5 percentage points‟ (i.e. 6.5 per cent) from „Bank Rate minus 3.0 percentage points‟ (i.e. 5.0 per cent). With a view to encouraging mobilisation of domestic idle gold under the gold deposit scheme proposed to be introduced by authorised banks, banks participating under this scheme were exempted from maintaining CRR on liabilities under gold deposits mobilised in India. However, the effective CRR to be maintained by authorised banks on total net demand and time liabilities including liabilities under gold deposit scheme should not be less than 3 per cent. The effective SLR maintained by the nominated banks on total NDTL including the liabilities under Gold Deposit Scheme should not be less than 25 per cent. Banks were required to convert the liabilities and assets denominated in terms of gold into rupees for the purpose of compliance with reserve requirements/capital prescription requirements/ balance sheet translation requirements. It was observed that on account of provision of cooling period at the end of four weeks of availment of CLF/ACLF, banks were not freely availing these facilities even during those periods when call rates were ruling high. Hence with a view to making the facilities more flexible and effective in meeting the liquidity requirements of banks and the system, the stipulation of cooling period was removed. Accordingly, banks were provided CLF and ACLF for the first block of two weeks at the Bank Rate and Bank Rate plus two percentage points, respectively. An additional interest rate of two percentage points over the rates applicable for the first block was charged thereafter. The period of payment of the amount drawn under CLF/ACLF was not to exceed 90 days from the date of drawal. The Reserve Bank advised that the interest rate on advances for fixed rate loans would be available to banks for all term loans (repayable within a period of not less than three years) and for all purposes including small loans up to Rs.2 lakh, subject to conformity with ALM Guidelines. CRR to be maintained by scheduled commercial banks (excluding RRBs) was reduced in two stages of half a percentage point each, effective the fortnights beginning November 6 and 20, 1999 to 9.5 per cent and 9.0 per cent, respectively. Effective fortnight beginning November 6, 1999, the liabilities under FCNR(B) scheme were exempted from the maintenance of incremental CRR of 10 per cent (over the level as on April 11, 1997). In order to improve the cash management by banks, a lag of two weeks in the maintenance of stipulated CRR by banks was introduced, effective November 6, 1999. Thus, the prescribed CRR during a fortnight would be maintained by a bank based on its NDTL as on the last Friday of the second preceding fortnight. The minimum interest rate of 20 per cent per annum on overdue export bills was withdrawn and banks were free to decide the appropriate rate of interest on these bills, keeping in view the PLR and spread guidelines. The interest rate surcharge of 30 per cent on import finance, in force since January 1998, was withdrawn to reduce the financing costs of imports for industry. With a view to enabling banks to meet any unanticipated additional demand for liquidity in the context of the century date change, a „Special Liquidity Support‟ for the period December 1, 1999 to January 31, 2000 was introduced, whereby banks were made eligible to avail of liquidity to the extent of their excess holdings of Central Government dated securities/Treasury Bills over the required SLR. The rate of interest on this facility would be 2.5 percentage points over the Bank Rate. To enable banks to tide over the contingency of additional demand for bank notes during the millennium change, „cash in hand‟ with banks was allowed to be included in the calculation of CRR during December 1, 1999 to January 31, 2000. The permission granted to non-bank entities to lend in the call/notice money market by routing their
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transactions through PDs was extended from end-December 1999 to end-June 2000. Effective November 2, 1999, MMMFs were allowed to be set up as a separate entity in the form of a „Trust‟ only and not in the form of a Money Market Deposit Account (MMDA). Effective November 2, 1999, scheduled commercial banks were permitted to offer „cheque writing‟ facility to Gilt Funds and Liquid Income Schemes of mutual funds which invest not less than 80 per cent of their corpus in money market instruments. The minimum lock-in period of 15 days applicable for MMMFs would not apply in the case of these schemes. Incremental CRR of 10 per cent on the increase in liabilities under FCNR(B) scheme over the level prevailing as on April 11, 1997 was withdrawn effective from the fortnight beginning November 6, 1999. Scheduled commercial banks were allowed to pay interest at their discretion at a rate based on their perception and other relevant factors on the minimum credit balance in the composite cash credit accounts of farmers during the period from the 10 th to the last day of each month. MMMFs were brought within the purview of SEBI regulations. Banks and FIs were required to seek clearance from the Reserve Bank for setting up MMMFs. It was decided to permit banks to charge interest at suitable rates in case of advance up to Rs. 2 lakh against third party deposits as in the case of advances to depositors against their own deposits. The Reserve Bank reduced the Bank Rate by 1.0 percentage point to 7.0 per cent, effective the close of business of April 1, 2000. CRR was reduced by 1.0 percentage point to 8.0 per cent in two stages of 0.5 percentage point each, from the fortnights beginning April 8 and April 22, 2000, respectively. The Reserve Bank reduced the repo rate by 1.0 percentage point from 6.0 per cent to 5.0 per cent, effective April 3, 2000. The Reserve Bank reduced the savings deposit rate of scheduled commercial banks from 4.5 per cent to 4.0 per cent, effective April 3, 2000. In order to facilitate the movement of short-term money market rate within a corridor, to impart greater stability and facilitate the emergence of a short-term rupee yield curve, it was announced that a fullfledged Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) operated through repos and reverse repos would be progressively introduced with effect from June 5, 2000. In the first stage, it was proposed that the ACLF would be replaced by variable rate repo auctions with same day settlement; in the second stage (exact timing to be determined subsequently) the CLF and Level-I liquidity support would be replaced by variable rate repo auctions (some minimum support to PDs would be continued but at the interest rate linked to variable rate in the daily repos auctions as determined by the Reserve Bank); in the third stage, with full computerisation of Public Debt Office and introduction of real time gross settlements system (RTGS), repo operations through electronic transfers would be introduced; and in the final stage, LAF would possibly be operated at different timings of the same day. In order to impart greater flexibility in the pricing of rupee interest rate derivatives and facilitate integration between money and forex markets, interest rates implied in the foreign exchange forward market could be used as a benchmark in addition to the existing domestic money and debt market rates. The minimum maturity of CDs was proposed to be reduced from 3 months to 15 days in order to bring it on par with other instruments like CPs and term deposits. It was decided to permit banks to offer, at their discretion, differential rates of interest also on NRE/ FCNR(B) term deposits on size group basis. For NRE term deposits, banks were allowed to offer differential rate of interest on single term deposit of Rs.15 lakh and above as in the case of domestic deposits. For FCNR(B) deposits, it was decided to allow banks to have discretion to decide currencywise minimum eligible quantum qualifying for such differential rates of interest. The interest rates so offered were, however, subject to the overall ceiling prescribed under the scheme. In order to make the market more „on line‟, it was decided to give the banks the option to choose at their discretion, the current swap rates while offering FCNR(B) deposits. It was decided that the facility to non-bank entities for routing transactions through PDs would be extended from end-June 2000 to end-December 2000 and simultaneously steps would be initiated to extend repo facility to such entities through Subsidiary General Ledger (SGL) II Accounts. AIFIs were given flexibility in the matter of fixing interest rates on term deposits. In order to facilitate operational flexibility to lenders to adjust their asset liability structure a time
2000 Jan.
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bound programme of withdrawing permission to non-bank entities for lending in call/notice money market coinciding with the development of the repo market was announced, with the objective of widening the repo market and improving the participation of the non-bank entities. In order to provide more deployment avenues within the country and at the same time to exploit the synergy between the lending expertise of a few banks with the vast branch network of the others, it was decided that gold mobilised under the Gold Deposit Scheme could be lent to other authorised banks for similar use as per the specified guidelines. Such borrowings of gold would be treated as inter-bank liabilities and exempted from CRR. With a view to providing further flexibility to banks and enabling them to choose an optimum strategy of holding reserves depending upon their intra-period cash flows, the requirement of minimum 85 per cent of the CRR balances to be maintained on a daily basis was reduced from 85 to 65 per cent from the fortnight beginning May 6, 2000. Banks were advised that with effect from May 26, 2000, the interest rate applicable to “Export Credit Not Otherwise Specified” (ECNOS) at post-shipment stage in respect of overdue export bills was 25 per cent per annum (minimum) from the date of bills on which they fall due for payment for both the fresh advances and also the existing advances for the remaining period. In the context of the developments in the foreign exchange market as also the overall monetary and credit situation, it was decided to reintroduce, as a temporary measure, interest rate surcharge of 50 per cent of the actual lending rate on bank credit for imports with effect from May 26, 2000. The Reserve Bank issued draft guidelines for the issue of commercial paper (CP). It was proposed to permit all-India financial institutions to issue CPs, to allow issue of CPs in maturities ranging from 15 days to one year in denominations of Rs. 5 lakh or its multiples, to facilitate corporates to issue CPs to the extent of 50 per cent of working capital (fund-based) limit under automatic route, to permit FIIs to invest in CPs within their 30 per cent limit of debt instruments, to encourage issue/holding of CP in dematerialised form, to enable credit rating agencies (CRA) to have discretion on the validity period of the rating and to assign clear roles for issuer, financing banking company, issuing and paying Agent and CRA. After a review of the recent developments in the international and domestic financial markets, including the foreign exchange market, the Reserve Bank raised the Bank Rate by 1 percentage point to 8 per cent with effect from the close of business of July 21, 2000. Further, it was announced that the CRR would be hiked by 0.5 percentage point to 8.5 per cent in two stages of 0.25 percentage point each, effective from fortnights beginning July 29 and August 12, 2000, respectively, and all refinance limits available to banks (including those for CLF), as a temporary measure, would be reduced by 25 per cent each of the eligible limits as per existing formulae in each of the same two stages. II. INTERNAL DEBT MANAGEMENT
1999 April
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The arrangements for the fiscal year 1999-2000 in respect of Ways and Means Advances (WMA) to the Central Government and the rates of interest and the minimum balance required to be maintained with the Reserve Bank effective April 1, 1999 were announced as under: (a) The limit for WMA was kept at Rs.11,000 crore for the first half of the year (April to September) and Rs.7,000 crore for the second half of the year (October to March). When 75 per cent of the limit for WMA would be utilised by the Government, the Reserve Bank could trigger fresh floatation of market loans depending on market conditions. (b) The interest rate on WMA was kept at the Bank Rate (8.0 per cent per annum) and that on overdraft at Bank Rate plus two percentage points (10.0 per cent per annum). (c) The minimum balance required to be maintained by the Central Government with the Reserve Bank was revised from not less than Rs.50 crore to Rs.100 crore on Fridays and from not less than Rs.4 crore to Rs.10 crore on other days. (d) As per the provisions of the Agreement dated March 26, 1997 between the Central Government and the Reserve Bank, overdrafts beyond ten consecutive working days were not allowed from April 1, 1999. The Reserve Bank granted „in-principle‟ approval to Corporation Bank to set up a separate subsidiary dedicated to the securities business to be accredited as a PD. The revised scheme for Bidding, Underwriting and Liquidity Support to PDs came into operation to increase the depth and liquidity in the government securities market. Under the scheme, the system for underwriting of Treasury Bills was replaced by a system of minimum bidding commitment. Each PD
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was required to make a minimum bidding commitment as a percentage of the notified amount for each auction, which is to be indicated at the beginning of the year. The minimum bidding commitment of all PDs taken together was expected to absorb 100 per cent of the issue. In the case of auctions of dated securities, the underwriting system was not changed except that against 50 per cent offered for underwriting, PDs were allowed to underwrite 100 per cent of the notified amounts. The Reserve Bank‟s liquidity support against collateral of Government securities, based on the bidding commitment and other parameters, was made available to the PDs. Consolidation of outstanding loan is necessary for ensuring sufficient volumes and liquidity in any one issue. Such consolidation also facilitates the emergence of benchmarks and development of the Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal Securities (STRIPS). Accordingly, the option of issuing new loans on price basis was introduced through a revised notification from the Central Government. Consequently, the first ever priced based auction was conducted by the Reserve Bank on May 11, 1999 with the two securities viz., 11.19 per cent Government Stock 2005 and 12.32 per cent Government Stock 2011 aggregating Rs.3,000 crore and Rs.2,000 crore, respectively. State governments were allowed to avail of Special WMA against the collateral of their investments in auctioned Treasury Bills in addition to their holdings in government dated securities, effective May 7, 1999. State governments were allowed to put bids on non-competitive basis in the auctions for 182 days and 364 days Treasury Bills, effective May 21, 1999. The Reserve Bank announced a calendar of Treasury Bill issuance, valid till September 1999. The Reserve Bank also decided to issue 182-day Treasury Bills, effective May 26, 1999, on every Wednesday preceding the non-reporting Friday (364-day Treasury Bills are issued every Wednesday preceding the reporting Friday). While the notified amounts for 14-day, 91-day and 182-day Treasury Bills were fixed at Rs.100 crore, that for 364-day Treasury Bills was fixed at Rs.500 crore. The Reserve Bank announced advance release calendar in respect of 14-day, 91-day, 182-day and 364day Treasury Bill issuance, which would be valid up to March 2000. Based on the recommendations of an Internal Working Group, the Reserve Bank decided to commence two-way operations in Treasury Bills with effect from February 2000. Vide its notification dated March 1, 2000, Government of India rescinded the 27 th June 1969 notification barring ready forward transactions issued by Government of India under section 16 of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 and delegated powers to the Reserve Bank under this Act for regulating ready forward contracts in government securities, money market securities, gold and gold related securities and derivatives based on these securities and in any debt securities issued by body corporates established by Central/State Government Act. Accordingly, the Reserve Bank issued a notification permitting all non-bank entities, who are maintaining SGL and current account with the Reserve Bank, Mumbai to undertake repos (including reverse repos). The arrangements for the fiscal year 2000-01 in respect of WMA to the Government of India and the rate of interest and the minimum balance required to the maintained with the Reserve Bank effective April 1, 2000 would be same as those in 1999-2000. The restriction that no sale deal should be entered into without actually having the securities in the investment portfolio at the time of sale was removed and entities were permitted to sell the securities after allotment, thus enabling sale, settlement and transfer on the same day. Special facility for securities settlement was proposed to be introduced for banks and primary dealers entities having SGL accounts for providing smooth securities settlement. III. FINANCIAL SECTOR MEASURES
2000 March 1
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Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks were allowed to invest their surplus funds in unsecured redeemable bonds, floated by nationalised banks, within the stipulated limit of 10 per cent of their deposits. The Reserve Bank announced that NBFCs presently holding public deposits would be allowed, with immediate effect, to park an amount equivalent to the amount of outstanding public deposits together with the present value of future interest differentials (between the yield on investments and the
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obligations of the company to pay the rate of interest) in an escrow account subject to certain conditions to exit from public deposits. The Reserve Bank announced the regulations for Mutual Benefit Companies (MBCs) which were yet to be notified as nidhis by Department of Company Affairs (DCA) of the Central Government. Such companies would be treated at par with the notified nidhi companies subject to certain conditions. As per Monetary and Credit Policy Statement 1999-2000, banks were advised to classify a minimum of 75 per cent of their investment in approved securities as current investments for the year ended March 31, 2000. It was decided that the investment by a bank or a financial institution (FI) in Tier II bonds issued by other banks would be subject to a ceiling of 10 per cent of the bank‟s or FI‟s total capital. In certain situations (e.g., cyclical downturns) where loans had been rescheduled, but borrowers had started servicing their loans on a regular basis after a short gap, the classification of loans as substandard for at least two years of satisfactory performance under the renegotiated or rescheduled terms was reduced to one year (or four quarters) if the interest and instalment of loans were serviced regularly as per the terms of rescheduling. The Board of Directors of banks were provided with the freedom to prescribe detailed rules for determining the date of commencement of commercial production of units. In respect of new NBFCs which are incorporated on or after April 20, 1999, the requirement of minimum NOF was raised to Rs.2 crore. To ensure timely and adequate availability of credit to infrastructure projects, banks/FIs were advised to clearly delineate the procedure for approval of loan proposals and institute a suitable monitoring mechanism for reviewing applications pending beyond the specified period. Banks/FIs were also urged to set up a mechanism for monitoring the project implementation. The Reserve Bank issued operational guidelines for financing of infrastructure projects to banks/FIs. Accordingly, banks were permitted to sanction term loans for technically feasible, financially viable and bankable projects undertaken by both public and private sector undertakings, subject to prescribed criteria. Banks were also permitted to issue inter-institutional guarantees subject to certain norms. The Reserve Bank decided that for the purpose of capital adequacy, all-India term lending and refinance institutions may treat the „grant equivalent‟ implicit in non-cumulative preference shares issued for a maximum period of 20 years at par with perpetual non-cumulative preference shares subject to certain conditions. In order to encourage flow of finance for venture capital, the overall ceiling of investment by banks in ordinary shares, convertible debentures of corporates and units of mutual funds, etc., of 5 per cent of their incremental deposits of the previous year was enhanced to the extent of banks‟ investment in venture capital funds which were registered with SEBI. Interest rates applicable to bank loans extended to micro-credit organisations were left to the discretion of banks and de-linked from direct small loans applicable to individual beneficiaries. The Reserve Bank advised FIs, non-banking subsidiaries of commercial banks, primary (urban) cooperative banks and PDs/SDs in government securities to disclose information on certain crucial aspects of Y2K. In respect of interest rates on deposits held under FCNR(B)/NRE Scheme, the Reserve Bank advised that the bank may, at its discretion, renew an overdue deposits or a portion thereof provided the overdue period from the date of maturity till the date of renewal (both days inclusive) does not exceed 14 days and the rate of interest payable on the amount of the deposit so renewed shall be the appropriate rate of interest for the period of renewal as prevailing on the date of maturity or on the date when the depositor seeks renewal, whichever is lower. Banks would be free to recover the interest to be paid for the overdue period, if the deposit is withdrawn before completion of minimum period prescribed under the schemes after renewal. The Reserve Bank removed the ceiling on bank credit prescribed for all registered NBFCs engaged in the principal business of equipment leasing, hire purchase, loan and investment activities. The Reserve Bank issued guidelines for constitution of Settlement Advisory Committees (SAC) and compromise settlement of NPAs of small sector by the public sector banks. The guidelines would apply to all NPAs in the SSI sector, small business including trading and personal segment and agricultural sector, which are chronic and at least 3 years old as on March 31, 1999 and would be operative up to September 30, 2000.
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Banks were advised that loss assets outstanding for more than two years and where legal action was not initiated may be reviewed henceforth at certain different levels. With a view to bringing in uniformity in the accounting practices followed by banks undertaking equipment leasing activity departmentally, banks were advised to follow the „Guidance Note on Accounting for Leases‟ issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). As per the guidelines, the net lease rentals (finance charge) on the leased asset accrued and credited to income account before the asset became non performing, and remained unrealised, should be reversed or provided for in the current accounting period. The Reserve Bank enhanced the financial limits for retail traders and for housing purposes from Rs.2 lakh to Rs.5 lakh. The Reserve Bank evolved an educational loan scheme for students, with effect from August 1, 1999, in private professional colleges to facilitate financial assistance to students seeking admission to these colleges under free/merit and payment categories. The Reserve Bank clarified that all Nidhi Companies, Chit Fund Companies and such other NBFCs including residuary non-banking financial companies (RNBCs) that held public deposits, were required to submit annual statutory return on deposits, as on March 31, 1999. The rates of interest on the foreign currency export credits which were to be fixed with reference to ruling LIBOR were permitted to be fixed with reference to EURO/EURIBOR, wherever applicable. The Reserve Bank advised the Indian Banks‟ Association (IBA) and the Foreign Exchange Dealers Association of India (FEDAI) to totally dispense with the practice of fixing benchmark service charges on behalf of member banks including charges for forex transactions to give freedom to banks in prescribing service charges. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) was included in the list of All-India Financial Institutions (AIFIs) whose bonds and debentures would qualify for risk weight of 20 per cent for capital adequacy ratio. Scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) were advised to disclose as „Notes to Accounts‟ in their balance sheets their exposure to sensitive sectors viz., advances to capital market sector, advances to real estate sector and advances to commodities sector which includes cash crops, edible oils, agricultural produce and other sensitive commodities. Scheduled Primary Co-operative Banks were permitted to rediscount bills discounted by NBFCs arising from sale of commercial vehicles (including light commercial vehicles) subject to normal lending safeguards. The power of Chairman and Managing Director of public sector banks for waiver/write-off of loans was raised from the existing limit of Rs.10 lakh to Rs.50 lakh. The Reserve Bank directed that the grant of advances against the security of Relief Bonds issued in different series would be eligible security for sanction of loans subject to certain conditions. Banks were advised to include the flow of micro credit in their corporate strategy/plan and to review progress thereof at the highest level on a quarterly basis. The Reserve Bank issued detailed guidelines for risk management system in banks. The guidelines broadly cover management of credit, market and operational risks. The guidelines on risk management together with the ALM guidelines would serve as benchmark for the banks which are yet to establish integrated risk management systems. RRBs were allowed to invest in Tier-II Bonds issued by sponsor banks or other banks/FIs only to the extent of 10 per cent of RRBs owned funds, in aggregate. In regard to income recognition, asset classification and provisioning for valuation of investment by banks in subsidiaries, banks were advised that long-term investments should be carried with the financial statements at carrying cost. However, provision for diminution shall be made to recognise a decline, other than temporary, in the investments, such reduction being determined and made for each investment individually. This methodology for valuation of investment in subsidiaries would be applicable from the year ending March 31, 2000. Banks were advised to submit a Report to the Reserve Bank giving details of the issue of subordinate debt for raising Tier II capital, such as the amount raised, the maturity of investment, and the rate of interest together with a copy of the offer document. The Reserve Bank advised SCBs that in respect of agricultural advances as well as advances for other purposes granted by banks to ceded PACS/FSS under the on-lending system, only that particular credit
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facility granted to a PACS/FSS which is in default for a period of two harvest seasons (not exceeding two half years)/ two quarters, as the case may be, after it has become due will be classified as NPA and not all the credit facilities sanctioned to a PACS/FSS. However, other direct loans and advances, if any, granted by the bank to the member borrower of a PACS/FSS outside the on-lending arrangement will become NPA even if one of the credit facilities granted to the same borrower becomes NPA. Banks were provided the freedom to charge interest rates without reference to prime lending rate (PLR) in certain categories viz., (a) loans covered by refinance scheme of term-lending institutions, (b) lending to intermediary agencies, (c) discount of bills, and (d) advances/overdrafts against domestic/NRE/ FCNR(B) deposits. The risk weight of 2.5 per cent for the risk arising out of market price variations was extended to encompass all investments, including securities outside the SLR, effective from the year ending March 31, 2001. The exposure ceiling in respect of an individual borrower was lowered from the present level of 25 per cent to 20 per cent of the bank‟s capital funds, effective April 1, 2000. Banks were permitted to reckon all indirect housing loans extended by them to housing intermediary agencies (irrespective of the per borrower size of the loan) as part of the housing finance allocation. Banks were given the freedom to decide the appropriate rate of interest in respect of the category of “Export Credit Not Otherwise Specified” at post-shipment stage. However, the procedure for ensuring that there is no deliberate attempt to delay repatriation of export receipts will remain in force. With regard to bill finance for settlement of dues of SSI suppliers, the mandatory minimum 25 per cent for acceptance of bills was withdrawn. The Reserve Bank issued guidelines to the banks for issuing of debit cards and smart cards with a view to helping banks to adopt appropriate safeguards in issuing of electronic cards to ease pressure on physical cash. NBFCs were advised to give at least 3 months‟ public notice prior to the date of closure of any of their branches/offices in at least one leading national newspaper and a leading local vernacular language newspaper indicating therein the purpose of closure and arrangement being made to service the depositors. Similar prior notice by NBFCs was also required in case of sale or transfer of ownership by sale of share or transfer of control whether with or without sale of shares. NBFC Directions on acceptance of public deposits were amended to exempt borrowings from mutual funds registered with SEBI from the purview of public deposits. The Reserve Bank issued guidelines for FIs in respect of income recognition, asset classification, provisioning and other related matters and capital adequacy standards for take-out finance. The guidelines relate to both unconditional and conditional take-over. Banks were required to segregate the debit and credit entries in inter-branch accounts pertaining to the period up to March 31, 1998 and outstanding as on March 31, 2001 and arrive at the net position. In case of a net debit, a provision equivalent to 100 per cent thereof may be made for the year ended March 2001. Consequent upon the issuance of revised guidelines of inspection of Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, the system of periodical visits to urban banks by the Regional Heads was reviewed and the revised guidelines were issued by the Reserve Bank. The Reserve Bank instructed that the provisions of Sections 45-IA, 45-IB and 45-IC of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 shall not apply to any non-banking financial company which is (a) providing credit not exceeding Rs.50,000 for a business enterprise and Rs.1,25,000 for meeting the cost of a dwelling unit to any poor person for enabling him to raise his level of income and standard of living, (b) licensed under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, (c) not accepting public deposits, and (d) is a mutual benefit company. The Reserve Bank effected several amendments to NBFC Regulations: NBFCs which were (i) engaged in micro financing activities, (ii) licensed under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 and (iii) not accepting public deposits were exempted from the purview of registration, maintenance of liquid assets and transfer of profits to reserve fund. The mutual benefit companies (MBCs) in existence as on January 9, 1997 and having net owned fund (NOF) of Rs.10 lakh were exempted from the requirements of registration, maintenance of liquid assets, creation of reserve fund and also from certain provisions of NBFC directions on acceptance of
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2.
3.
4. 5. 6.  
Jan. 13
Feb.
7
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12 
18  29  
March 2
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24 
 27    
public deposits and prudential norms which do not apply to notified nidhi companies. The Reserve Bank introduced certain regulations over opening and closing of branches with an obligation of the auditors to report non-compliance of these directions. NBFCs were directed to constitute Audit Committees, consisting of not less than three members of the Board of Directors, if they have assets of more than Rs. 50 crore as per the last audited Balance Sheet. NBFCs would be required to follow a uniform accounting year of March 31 every year with effect from the accounting year ending with March 31, 2001. They would also have to furnish information on suit-filed and decreed debts in the Prudented Norms Return submitted to the Reserve Bank. NBFCs not holding public deposits were not required to submit liquid asset return. NBFCs were allowed to maintain a part of the liquid assets (up to 5 per cent of public deposits) in the form of unencumbered term deposits with scheduled commercial banks. Government Companies as described in Sec. 617 of Companies Act were exempted from core provisions of RBI Act and Directions except registration under Sec. 45-1A. The Reserve Bank advised NBFCs which had not attained the stipulated minimum NOF of Rs. 25 lakh as on January 9, 2000 to immediately discontinue their business and inform the Reserve Bank of discontinuance. Such NBFCs were not allowed to accept or renew public deposits. They were to repay the deposits already accepted as per the terms and conditions of acceptance. They should continue to comply with the provisions of Chapter III-B of the Reserve Bank of India Act and the directions issued there under it till all the depositors are repaid. The Reserve Bank also stated that it does not guarantee the repayment of deposits by any NBFC including those which have obtained the certificate of registration (CoR) under Section 45-IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act. The Reserve Bank issued guidelines in respect of income recognition, asset classification and provisioning norms for export project finance. Public sector banks were allowed to open savings bank accounts in the name of Zilla Parishads/Gram Panchayats in respect of funds released for implementation of various rural development/welfare programmes and/or subsidy/margin money linked programmes sponsored by the State Governments/ Central Government. Banks were advised that micro-credit extended by them to individual borrowers either directly or through any intermediary would be reckoned as part of their priority sector lending. The Reserve Bank issued guidelines for banks in respect of income recognition, asset classification, provisioning and other related matters and capital adequacy standards for take-out-finance which were similar to the guidelines issued earlier for FIs. The Reserve Bank delineated a broad coverage of infrastructure activities for the purpose of financing with the advice that the relaxation in group exposure norms with regard to financing of infrastructure projects would be available only in respect of four sectors viz., roads, power, telecommunication and ports. The Reserve Bank advised that (a) banks need to assign risk weight of 100 per cent to those State government guaranteed securities that are issued by the defaulting entities and not on all the securities issued or guaranteed by the State government concerned; (b) no provision need be made for a period of one year in respect of additional credit facilities granted to SSI units which are identified as sick where rehabilitation packages/nursing programme have been drawn by the banks themselves or under consortium arrangements; and (c) the general provision of 0.25 per cent on standard assets should be made on global portfolio basis and not on domestic advances alone. It was decided that lending by banks to NBFCs for on-lending to agriculture should be reckoned as priority sector lending. Banks were advised to voluntarily build-in the risk weighted components of their subsidiaries into their own balance sheet on notional basis at par with the risk weights applicable to banks‟ own assets. The Reserve Bank announced a move towards risk-based supervision (RBS) of banks. The risk-based supervision approach entails monitoring of banks by allocating supervisory resources and focusing supervisory attention according to the risk profile of each institution. The Reserve Bank decided to enhance the ceiling for classifying advances for financing distribution of inputs for allied activities, such as cattle-feed, poultry-feed etc., as indirect advances to agriculture to Rs.15 lakh from Rs.5 lakh. The Reserve Bank announced that it proposes to extend to the NBFCs the guidelines on Asset Liability Management and Risk Management after getting the views of the industry. It also announced
 28  26  27  June 9 
May
30  
July
27  
31
considering guidelines for NBFCs for their entry/participation in insurance business. It was decided to grant freedom to banks to offer loans on fixed or floating interest rates subject to PLR stipulations and also to offer, at their discretion, differential rates of interest on NRE/FCNR(B) term deposits on size group basis subject to specified lines. It was decided to authorise Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) which have minimum working capital of Rs.25 crore and satisfy other listed criteria to open/maintain Non-Resident (Ordinary/External) accounts in rupees. The exemption granted to RRBs from the practice of marking to market norms in respect of the SLR securities was further extended to another two financial years, viz., 2000-01 and 2001-02. The Reserve Bank announced guidelines for constitution of Settlement Advisory Committee (SAC) for compromise settlement of NPAs of small sector by public sector banks. Any NBFC registered with the Reserve Bank having net owned fund of Rs.2 crore as per last audited balance sheet was permitted to undertake insurance business as agent of insurance companies on fee basis, without any risk participation. All registered NBFCs that satisfy the eligibility criteria were permitted to undertake insurance business with risk participation, subject to safeguards. The Reserve Bank announced rationalisation of some of the regulations applicable to NBFCs and RNBCs. Provisioning norms for NBFCs in respect of lease and hire purchase assets were rationalised. RNBCs were permitted to invest in the schemes of UTI and other mutual funds registered with SEBI. The floor/ ceiling on interest rates payable by RNBCs was lowered by two percentage points. Deposits from the relative of a Director of NBFC were exempted from the purview of public deposits. NBFCs were also advised to brand their certificates of registration as „deposit taking company‟ or „non-deposit taking company‟. The Reserve Bank announced revised guidelines for recovery of dues relating to NPAs of public sector banks. These would cover NPAs relating to all sectors including the small sector and would remain operative up to March 31, 2001. The Reserve Bank prepared a Discussion Paper on Prompt Corrective Action (PCA). The schedule of corrective actions under the broader PCA regime was worked out based on three parameters i.e., Capital to Risk Assets Ratio (CRAR), net NPAs and Return on Assets (RoA). Trigger points have been set under the three parameters taking into account the practicality of implementation of certain measures in the Indian context. IV. CAPITAL MARKET
(i) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) 1999 May June 20  11   Aug. 17   SEBI made it mandatory for every stock exchange to sign up with depositories to provide the demat option to investors trading on the exchange. SEBI finalised the credit rating agency (CRA) norms. The regulations prohibit rating agencies from rating instruments floated by their promoters as also those of borrowers of the promoters‟ institution(s). CRAs were required to attain a minimum net worth of Rs.5 crore in three years. Also the listing norms at stock exchanges would be changed so as to ensure adequate disclosure to CRAs by the issuers. SEBI relaxed the minimum initial public offering requirement for information technology (IT) companies from 25 per cent to 10 per cent of the post-equity issue. However, companies were required to make a public offer for at least Rs.50 crore and offer at least 20 lakh securities. SEBI cleared the draft regulations for collective investment schemes (CIS) in line with the recommendations of the Dave Committee. The regulations stipulated that a minimum net worth of Rs.3 crore for new schemes and Rs.1 crore for existing schemes was to be attained in a year. Further, in five years, all schemes were required to attain a minimum net worth of Rs.5 crore. These also stipulated compulsory listing in stock exchanges and credit rating and prohibited them from offering assured returns. The CIS was also to be constituted as a two-tiered structure comprising a trust and a collective investment management company (CIMC). Existing schemes were to seek registration failing which their operations were to be wound up. In order to ensure transparency and better price discovery, SEBI prohibited negotiated deals in
Sept.
2
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Oct.
8
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
securities. All negotiated deals were permitted as normal deals executed on the screens of stock exchanges. The negotiated deals were required to result in delivery. SEBI relaxed the regulations pertaining to the registration of foreign institutional investors (FIIs). FIIs can now obtain registration from SEBI to a sub-account with only 20 investors as against 50 investors stipulated earlier. SEBI made investment guidelines for mutual funds (MFs) more stringent. The new guidelines restricted MFs to invest no more than 10 per cent of NAV of a scheme in shares or share-related instruments of a single entity. MF‟s investment in rated debt-instrument of a single issuer was restricted to 15 per cent (up to 20 per cent with prior approval of Board of Trustees and AMC). The modified norms also specified a maximum limit of 25 per cent of NAV of any of its schemes for investment in listed group companies as against an umbrella limit of 25 per cent of NAV for all schemes taken together stipulated earlier. SEBI modified 100 per cent book-building norms for public issues and allowed the issuer options to issue securities through either the existing guidelines or the modified guidelines. In the modified guidelines, (i) compulsory display of demand at the terminals was made optional; (ii) the reservation of 15 per cent of the issue size for individual investors could be clubbed with fixed-price offer; (iii) the issuer could be allowed to disclose either the issue size or the number of securities to be offered; and (iv) the allotment of book-built portion were required to be made in demat mode only. Norms for IPO/offer for sale for companies in the information technology (IT) sector were modified in order to ensure that non-IT companies did not take advantage of relaxed norms for IPOs for IT sector companies. The guidelines stipulated that IT companies making IPO must have track record of distributable profits in three out of five years in the IT business/from out of IT activities. Following the enactment of Securities (Amendment) Act, 1999 SEBI gave in-principle approval to the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange to commence trading in derivatives. Compulsory Rolling Settlement on a T+5 basis was introduced. Ten select scrips were chosen on the basis of the criteria that they should be in the compulsory demat list and have daily turnover of about Rs.1 crore or more. SEBI amended Mutual Fund regulations whereby mutual funds were required to send a complete statement of their scheme portfolios to all unit holders within one month from the close of every half year. 3 SEBI issued guidelines for mutual funds to undertake trading in derivatives for purposes of hedging and balancing their portfolios. SEBI started implementing the recommendations of Kumar Mangalam Birla Committee on Corporate Governance by instructing stock exchanges to modify their listing agreements with companies. Other „mandatory‟ recommendations pertained to the composition of Board of Directors, appointment and structure of Audit Committee, shareholders‟ rights and disclosure of compliance of corporate governance, etc. These were applicable to companies (a) seeking new listing (with immediate effect) or (b) included in „A‟ group of BSE or in S&P CNX Nifty (by end-March 2001) or (c) with paid-up capital of Rs.10 crore and above or companies with net worth of Rs.25 crore or above (by end-March 2002) or (d) which are listed and with a paid-up capital of Rs.3 crore and above (by end-March 2003). SEBI relaxed the IPO norms for companies in the media, entertainment and telecom sector by reducing the minimum level of public offering from 25 per cent to 10 per cent of post-equity issue. The size of the net offer to the public was stipulated at no less than Rs. 50 crore. SEBI modified guidelines for 100 per cent one-stage book-building process. Under the new guidelines, a maximum of 60 per cent of the issue was allowed to be allotted to institutional investors and at least 15 per cent to non-institutional investors applying for more than 1000 shares. The remaining 25 per cent could be allotted to small investors on a pro-rata basis. 100 per cent one-stage book-building was permitted with bidding centres at all cities with stock exchanges. SEBI liberalised investment norms for mutual funds by allowing open-ended schemes to invest up to five per cent of their net asset value (NAV) in equity shares or equity related instruments of unlisted companies. Investment limit in such equities was kept unchanged at 10 per cent for closed-ended schemes. SEBI increased the maximum investment limit for mutual funds in listed companies from 5 per cent to
2000 Jan.
5
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10  25   21 
Feb.
April
7
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May
24   
June
7
9
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14  15 
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July
3
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4
10 per cent of NAV in respect of open-ended funds. Also, any change in the fundamental attributes of a scheme was allowed to be made without the consent of three fourths of the unit holders provided that unit holders are given the exit option at NAV without any exit load. SEBI issued a code of conduct on advertisement for mutual funds banning them from making claims based on past performance, etc. that might mislead the public. In the secondary market SEBI permitted introduction of daily and weekly carry forward system with maturities of 1,2,3,4 and 5 days in the rolling settlement. It also permitted stock exchanges to introduce continuous net settlement (CNS). The SEBI decided to tighten the entry norms for IPOs by modifying the Disclosure and Investor Protection (DIP) guidelines. According to the new guidelines, the IPOs of size upto 5 times the preissue net worth was allowed only if the company had a record of profitability and net worth as specified in the guidelines. Companies without such a track record or the issue size beyond 5 times the pre-issue net worth were allowed to make IPOs only through the book-building route with 60 per cent of the issue to be allotted to qualified institutional borrowers (QIBs). SEBI also stipulated a lock-in period of shares issued on preferential basis by listed companies to any person for a period of one year. Following the recommendations of the Committee on Accounting Standards (Chairman: Shri Y.H. Malegam) to improve transparency, SEBI made it mandatory for the listed companies to provide their half-yearly results on the basis of limited review by its auditors or chartered accountants to the stock exchanges. SEBI issued guidelines specifying eligibility criteria and risk containment measures for automatic lending and borrowing mechanism (ALBM), a quasi-derivative instrument introduced by NSE, in line of the carry forward system.
1999 Oct. Dec.
(ii) Government of India  27  The Union Government decided to empower the SEBI as the sole authority for regulating the issuance and transfer of shares of listed companies. 2  The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act 1999 (IRDA) was enacted to grant statutory status to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority. It also sought to throw open the Indian insurance industry to private Indian companies in which the maximum foreign holding was capped at 26 per cent. 29  The Securities Laws (Amendment) Act 1999 was enacted with the aim of broadening the definition of „securities‟ so as to bring into its ambit the derivatives and instruments issued by collective investment schemes. 29  Pursuant to the proposals made in the Union Budget for 2000-2001, (i) venture capital funds were exempted from approval of tax authorities as also from income tax on income received in the hands of investors with effect from April 1, 2000; (ii) SEBI was made the single point nodal agency for registration and regulation of venture capital funds; (iii) the rate of dividend tax to be paid by companies and by mutual funds in respect of debt oriented schemes was raised from 10 per cent to 20 per cent with effect from June 1, 2000; (iv) tax benefits under sections 54EA and 54EB, arising out of sale of capital assets were withdrawn with effect from April 1, 2000, and; (v) the stock exchanges were exempted from income tax on contribution for setting up Investor‟s Protection Fund with effect from April 1, 2000. (iii) Reserve Bank of India 1999 29  In its Monetary and Credit Policy for the second half of 1999-2000, the Reserve Bank decided to withdraw its regulations pertaining to money market mutual funds (MMMFs) in favour of SEBI for better investor protection. However, banks and financial institutions desirous of setting up MMMFs were to be required to seek clearance from the Reserve Bank. V. EXTERNAL SECTOR MANAGEMENT a) Trade Policy 6  The DGFT laid down the guidelines for extension in export obligation period in respect of Advance Licences and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme. Subject to certain conditions, the maximum extension can be up to 18 months for Advance Licence and up to March 31, 2001 under the
2000 Feb.
Oct.
1999 April
9
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July
29      30  19 
Aug.
EPCG Scheme The DGFT set up fast track counter to cater to the requirements of Status Holders (i.e., export houses and various trading houses) in the context of Advance Licence and DEPB Scheme. Application for these facilities can be filled up either electronically or manually. The DGFT made the following changes in the guidelines for import of second hand capital goods:The Inter-Ministerial Restricted Item Licensing Committee in DGFT will normally allow import of such capital goods automatically that is not older than 5 years. The Committee will take into consideration the comparative advantages/benefits of such imports vis-avis new capital goods that are older than 5 years but less than 10 years old. Import of capital goods that are older than 10 years will normally not be allowed except for heavy equipment in the infrastructure and core sector industries. The imported capital goods will have to conform to the acceptable environmental and industrial safety norms. Apart from the criteria mentioned above, the Committee may fix any criteria as deemed necessary. The restrictions regarding the minimum import prices for steel items for imports under Advance Licences, Annual Advance Licenses, Special Import Licences and Advance Intermediate Licences; and imports made by EOUs and units in EPZ were dispensed with. Requests for procurement of capital goods against EPCG licences from indigenous sources need not be placed before the EPCG committee. The amended EXIM Policy was announced. The salient features are as follows: For promoting export production without hassles, Special Economic Zones would be set up in different parts of the country. For enhancing the involvement of State Governments in export promotion efforts, a scheme of granting financial assistance to the states for the development of export related infrastructure on the basis of their export performance was evolved. In order to speed up transactions and to bring about transparency in filing, processing and disposal of application forms, emphasis would be placed on e-commerce. Several existing export promotion schemes have been rationalised. For encouraging export of quality/branded goods, double weightage on FOB or net foreign exchange earning (NFE) on exports made by units having ISO or equivalent status and value caps on the identified branded products will not be applicable under DEPB Scheme. Quantitative restrictions on 714 out of 1,429 items were removed by shifting them from the SIL List to the OGL List. The remaining items would be shifted to the OGL List by March 31, 2001 and the SIL List would be abolished. Import of second hand capital goods, which are less than 10 years old, will be allowed without obtaining any licence on surrender of SIL.
2000 March 31        
b) Foreign Exchange Market 1999 April 24  Cut-off date for providing forward exchange cover to FIIs in respect of their equity investment was changed from June 11, 1998 to March 31, 1999 and ADs were permitted to provide forward exchange cover to FIIs to the extent of 15 per cent of their outstanding equity investment as at the close of business on 31st March 1999 converted into US dollar terms at the rate of US $ 1 = Rs.42.43, as well as for the entire amount of any additional investment made after March 31, 1999. The existing forward contracts booked in accordance with earlier instructions are allowed to continue even if the amount thereof exceeded 15 per cent of the value of investment as on March 31, 1999. ADs were permitted to allow the EEFC account holders the facility of making payments from such accounts for eligible purposes by issue of cheques to beneficiaries of the payments subject to certain conditions. ADs were empowered to renew the general permission granted by Reserve Bank to OCBs under the Portfolio Investment Scheme for a further period of five years. Foreign embassies/missions/diplomats were permitted to open foreign currency accounts with any AD in India without the approval of the Reserve Bank subject to certain conditions. Earlier such accounts were allowed to be opened only at select branches of State Bank of India.
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29 
July
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Aug.
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5
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Oct.
Nov.
1
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The Reserve Bank granted (a) exemption from the operation of provisions of Section 29(1)(b) of FERA, 1973 to non-resident holders of ADRs/GDRs to acquire the underlying shares released by the Indian custodian upon surrender of the ADRs/GDRs, and (b) general permission to company/depository concerned for entering an address outside India in its register of books in respect of such shares. ADs were permitted to grant credit facilities, fund based as well as non-fund based, according to their commercial judgement against the security of balances held in EEFC account. The Reserve Bank granted general permission to foreign airline companies, which did not have a branch, office or a place of business in India, to carry on their normal commercial activity in India through their local agents. ADs were also permitted to allow local agents of such foreign airline companies to remit net surplus passage fare/freight collection subject to certain conditions. The ceiling on fast track route of the Reserve Bank for investment in Joint Ventures (JVs)/Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (WOS) in Nepal and Bhutan was raised from Rs.60 crore to Rs.120 crore and that in other SAARC countries and Myanmar from US $ 15 million to US $ 30 million. Authorised dealers were allowed to extend the time for physical import of goods against advance remittances by one month (three months in the case of capital goods) over and above the stipulated three months (twelve months in the case of capital goods) from the date of remittance. Procedure for release of exchange to students for studies abroad was simplified and students could approach any AD to draw exchange as per their eligibility and convenience. Indian companies were permitted to issue Commercial Paper to Overseas Corporate Bodies (OCBs) on non-repatriation basis subject to the same terms and conditions stipulated for issuing commercial paper to NRIs. It was decided to allow the ADs who have been permitted by the Reserve Bank to accept gold under Gold Deposit Scheme to use exchange-traded and over-the-counter hedging products available overseas to manage their price risk arising out of sale of gold. However, while using products involving options, authorised dealers may ensure that there is no net receipt of premium, either direct or implied. Banks which were allowed to enter into forward gold contracts in India in terms of the existing guidelines were also allowed to cover their price risk by hedging abroad. General permission was granted to (i) Indian companies to issue rights/bonus shares to non-residents and to send such shares out of India and (ii) non-residents to acquire such rights/bonus shares, subject to certain conditions. It may be noted, however, that such issues resulting in increase in percentage of foreign equity as also issue of shares by companies whose original project cost was more than Rs.600 crore shall still require prior approval by the Union Government as per the existing procedure. General permission was granted to a person resident outside India or a company incorporated outside India to acquire shares from the shareholders who had acquired such shares as signatories to the Memorandum and Articles of Association provided (i) the Indian company is permitted to become a 100 per cent owned subsidiary, (ii) the total number of shares so acquired does not exceed 500 and (iii) the face value of the shares to be transferred is less than 0.1 per cent of the paid-up capital of the Indian company. The company whose shares are so released and/or a depository have also been granted permission to enter an address outside India in their books in respect of such shares. Simplifying the procedure for NRI/OCB investment in India, the Reserve Bank granted general permission to Indian companies for issuing non-convertible debentures to such investors on nonrepatriation/ repatriation basis, subject to certain conditions. Further, all portfolio investments made by NRIs and/or OCBs on non-repatriation/repatriation basis in shares/debentures of Indian companies and other securities through designated branches of authorised dealers will not require specific permission from the Reserve Bank. Authorised dealers were permitted to grant loans and advances to NonResident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) against the security of shares/debentures/immovable property held by them in India, according to their commercial judgement and subject to certain conditions. With a view to minimising the country‟s short-term external borrowing liabilities the minimum maturity of FCNR(B) deposits was raised to 1 year from 6 months. With a view to promoting foreign direct investment by Indian companies under the Reserve Bank Fast Track Route and Normal Route the condition that the amount of investment should be repatriated in
18 
25  2000 Jan. 19    Mar. 31 
full by way of dividend, royalty, etc. within a period of five years was dispensed with. It was decided that in the case of ECBs approved by the Government of India, authorised dealers designated by the borrowers may allow the remittance towards prepayment/part-prepayment of ECB to the extent such prepayment has been approved by the Government of India. In case of prepayment of ECBs approved by the Reserve Bank, the borrower may submit an application through the designated authorised dealer to the Reserve Bank of India with necessary documents. General permission was granted to Indian mutual funds to issue units or similar instruments under schemes approved by SEBI to FIIs with repatriation benefits, subject to certain conditions. It was decided that opening and closure of Vostro Accounts need not be reported to the Reserve Bank. The permission given to ADs to grant foreign currency loans to FCNR(B) account holders was withdrawn. The ADs were permitted to use funds in foreign currency accounts besides those in FCNR(B) accounts for making loans. Expanding substantially the foreign investment under the Automatic Route of the Reserve Bank, the Union Government granted general permission under FERA, 1973 for issue of share to non-residents (which includes Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Non-Resident Indian (NRI)/Overseas Corporate Body (OCB) investment) subject to certain conditions. It was decided that the aggregate amount of „write-off‟ of unrealised export bills allowed by the AD at all branches put together during a calendar year should not exceed 10 per cent of the export proceeds realised by the exporter through the authorised dealer concerned during the previous calendar year as against 5 per cent of the export proceeds allowed hitherto. It was decided to raise the monetary ceiling of advance remittances undertaken by ADs on behalf of importers against bank guarantee from an international bank of repute situated outside India, furnished by an overseas supplier, from US$15,000 to US$25,000. With a view to further liberalising investment by FIIs in Indian companies in the primary/secondary markets in India, Indian companies (other than banking companies) including those which have already enhanced the aggregate ceiling from the normal level of 24 per cent to 30 per cent were permitted to enhance the aggregate ceiling on investment up to 40 per cent of the issued and paid-up capital of the Indian companies, subject to certain conditions. The Diamond Dollar Account Scheme (DDAS) was introduced. Under this scheme, firms and companies dealing in the purchase/sale of diamonds, with a track record of at least three years in import/export of diamonds and having an average annual turnover of Rs. 5 crore or above during the preceding three licensing years (April-March) were permitted to carry out their business through designated Diamond Dollar Accounts with not more than two ADs. The Diamond Dollar Accounts were to be maintained in the form of current accounts with the balances subject to CRR and SLR requirements. Furthermore, firms and companies maintaining foreign currency accounts, excluding EEFC accounts, with banks in India or abroad, were not be eligible to maintain Diamond Dollar Accounts. The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) replaced the existing Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA), 1973 with effect from June 1, 2000. The FEMA consolidated and amended the law relating to foreign exchange with the objectives of facilitating external trade and payments and of promoting the orderly development and maintenance of foreign exchange market in India. The limit for ECB approvals given by the Reserve Bank was increased to US $ 100 million under all windows. Even in cases of pre-payments approved by the Government, the Reserve Bank was empowered to give all such approvals. The facility of domestic rupee denominated structured obligations to be credit enhanced by international banks/financial institutions/joint ventures was extended to those NBFCs, registered with the RBI, which had earned profits during the last three years and had “AA” or equivalent rating from a reputed credit rating agency. Foreign Direct Investment upto 100 per cent was allowed for business to business e-commerce subject to the condition that such companies divest 26 per cent of their equity in favour of the Indian public in five years, if these companies were listed in other parts of the world. The dividend balancing condition was removed for FDI in 22 consumer industries. The upper limit of Rs.1,500 crore for FDI in projects of electricity generation, transmission and distribution (other than atomic reactor power plants) was removed.
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April
22  24 
May
16 
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June
1
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14 
July
14   
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The level of FDI in oil refining sector under automatic route was raised from the existing 49 per cent to 100 per cent.